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dragonlady
Reviews
Max Magician and the Legend of the Rings (2002)
Sooooo bad!
This film is so bad it makes Plan Nine from Outer Space look like Academy Award material. The acting is awful until you realize there IS no acting in this movie. Every line is flat and all the characters seem to have one expression and, by golly, they stick to it. I noticed the blurb on the cover of the DVD that said, "A fantasy epic in the tradition of Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings." - Science Fiction Chronicle. Well, either that reviewer doesn't get out much and hasn't seen the Potter movies or LOTR or (which I suspect may be the case) is a serious crackhead.
Yes, this film can be found at Wal-Mart in the bargain bin. Do yourself a favor and leave it there. Not worth the money and definitely not worth the time watching it. See the other users comments for more specifics on how truly terrible this movie is.
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Good fantasy literature can make for great fantasy films
Quite simply, this is the height of an excellent blending of literature and film making. Most adaptations are either so faithful to the written material that you wonder why you bothered to go to the film or you watch the movie and wonder to where the original story disappeared. Every aspect of this movie is a joy to experience. The language, the beauty of the locations, the solidity of the cast and the soaring grandeur of the music combines to make a film that is largely faithful to the text and, yet, transcends the written word to bring the heart and the soul of the trilogy to life. I am amazed at how I fall into each of the films every time I watch them. It is tribute to Peter Jackson that these movies can pull us into the story and the lives of the characters no matter if you have seen the film once, twice or twenty times. I remember thinking when the first film opened, "Please don't let this be crap." Not only was it not butchered, it can hopefully become the standard from which other fantasy literature can be adapted for film. I hope that the Trilogy will be re-released periodically in the theaters because the big screen is truly the best format for watching these movies. Thank you Peter Jackson and everyone associated with the three films, for creating a moving and memorable movie experience. I am truly grateful that this happened in my lifetime.
Hatari! (1962)
My favorite John Wayne film
I have seen this movie about 20 times and its appeal never fades. The nice mix of comedy and action make this my favorite John Wayne film. Each of the supporting characters are so unique and well-developed that it is truly an ensemble piece. Even the music is wonderful. "Elephant Walk" is still so reconizable that I can't help but smile every time I hear it.
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Wow!
First movie, I have seen in a long time when at the end I was sad, because I wanted to see more..NOW! Not slavishly faithful to the books, this is still a fine adaptation and I think a model for all fantasy films to come. They have set a benchmark of excellence that should go a long way to improving the quality of fantasy films for those of us who love the genre.